Wood Deck Tiles FAQs

Outdoor Wood Deck Tile Frequently Asked Questions (FAQS)

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1. Outdoor Wood Tile Use
2. Installation
3. Wood Tile Care

OUTDOOR WOOD TILE USE

Q. Where can the tiles be used?
A. They can be used on any solid, flat surface, such as patios, porches, around hot tubs, around pools, courtyards, balconies, roof tops, garden paths, boat decks, gazebos, sun rooms and sauna floors.

Q. Can you use them outdoors?
A. Yes, these tiles are made for outdoor use. The woods used are aged hardwoods and the polypropylene grid underneath will withstand extreme temperatures and varied climates.

Q. Will the wood hold up to extreme cold and hot weather conditions?
A. The wood is not affected by cold or heat. Hardwoods hold up well to outdoor cold and heat.

Q. How will the plastic grid hold up to extreme cold and hot weather conditions?
A. The polypropylene grid is made to withstand temperature from -20 to +100 Celsius. Care should be taken if installing or removing in cold conditions as the interconnecting plastic t abs may become brittle.

Q. Can the wood slats come loose?
A. No. Each wood slat is secured to the plastic grid with at least 2 precision drilled stainless (corrosion free) screws.

Q. How does the price of the wood deck tiles compare to a traditional deck?
A. As you are installing the deck yourself and you do not need to build a foundation, the cost and time savings is about half of installing a traditional deck.

Q. Can the tiles be used indoors?
A. Yes, be sure to vacuum any crumbs or food particles promptly.

Q. Can the tiles be laid directly on rooftops of rubber or bituminous membrane without damaging or puncturing the membrane?
A. The pressure on the tile base is normally distributed in such a way that no damage will occur. However if you wish to take additional precautions, then we suggest laying down a suitable geotextile (i.e. weed or erosion control) mat before the tiles are laid. If your builder or building requires something more substantial, we would suggest laying down an EPDM sheet which costs from about 50c per sq.ft. and comes in continuous sheeting as large as 50' x 100'. EPDM sheeting can be obtained from suppliers such as http://frs.flatroofsolutions.com.

OUTDOOR WOOD TILE INSTALLATION

Q. Do I need to prepare the surface?
A. Not really, just clean the surface of any debris or dirt. The tiles are ready to install right out of the box. However, if the tiles are installed directly on the ground, then a weed control fabric should be laid down first.

Q. What tools will I need?
A. No special tools are required – just a tape measure, utility knife, screwdriver and saw.

Q. How long and how hard is it to install a deck or patio?
A. Depending on the size, most decks can be installed in one to two hours. If the tiles have to be cut to go around curved edges or pipes it may take extra time.

Q. I’m not very handy, what skill level is required to install the tiles?
A. Installing the tiles is just about as easy as putting together Legos. The tiles lock securely and precisely in place with just a gentle push. Alignment of the tiles is automatic so you just extend the deck in whichever direction you want without any alignment problems. You only need to be able to use a handsaw or jigsaw if it is necessary to cut any tiles to fit around pipes or to fit a final row of tiles against a retaining wall or the outside deck edge. See our wood deck tile installation page.

Q. Can the tiles be installed on a surface that is not completely level?
A. Yes, the polypropylene grid has good flexibility to all the tiles to be laid on uneven surfaces. However, excessive unevenness of the surface will need to be repaired or resurfaced prior to installation.

Q. Can the tiles be installed on grass or bare ground?
A. Yes, the tiles can be installed on grass or bare ground that is relatively flat. You can use them as tiles for a pathway. In order to prevent grass or weeds to grow up through the spaces between the slats, it is recommended that you lay down a weed control fabric first.Q. Can the tiles be installed on a surface that is not completely level?

Q. Can I install them in different patterns?
A. Yes, the tiles can be laid in a straight, parquet or checkered board pattern and an offset pattern.

Q. What if I have a post or a curved area on my patio or deck?
A. Simply cut the DIY deck tiles with a jigsaw or handsaw. Be sure to remove any screws that might be in the way and then re-place the screws after you have cut the tile. Cut through the wood and the grid at one time.

Q. Are the tiles glued or secured to the floor in any way?
A. The tiles are not, the finishing edges are screwed into the floor.

Q. Can I use the tiles on stairs or steps?
A. Yes, however you must secure the tiles to the steps to avoid any movement.

Q. If the tiles are not secured to the floor, will they move?
A. No, the tiles will not move as they are locked together and the weight of the total tiles locked together will not move.

WOOD TILE CARE

Q. How do you clean the tiles?
A. You can clean the deck tiles as you would any traditional deck; with a broom, blower, garden hose or pressure washer.

Q. Does the sun have any affect on the wood?
A. Over time, all hardwood decks and furniture will eventually fade and turn grey. The wood deck tiles come pre-treated with an oil based wood preservative that is also UV stabilized. To keep the wood color as long as possible, it is recommended that you treat the deck with our wood preservative approximately every 6-12 months depending on your climate conditions.

Q. Can the tiles be removed once they are installed?
A. Yes, the tiles can be easily taken up and re-installed in a new location.